Day Trip to Medieval Bulgaria: A Unique UNESCO Heritage Site Tour
3.8
55 Ratings
Ivanovo
Embark on a day trip to medieval Bulgaria and explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ivanovo Rock Churches. Discover the ancient capital of Veliko Turnovo and immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of this unique destination.
Duration: 12 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo - Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site with unique frescoes
  • Tsarevets - Take a walk in the Fortress of the Kings from the 12th century
  • Хотел Арбанаси - Visit an architectural reserve unique in Bulgaria with typical traditional architecture
What's Included
  • Complimentary pick-up and drop-off at your chosen location in the city
  • Expert guidance from a licensed private guide
  • Travel in style with a modern, air-conditioned car or minivan
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
  • Photo fees
  • Gratuities
  • Entrance fees
Additional Information

Embark on a day tour to Bulgaria, where you’ll explore the country’s finest. Starting the day at the Romanian-Bulgarian border, you’ll first visit the Ivanovo Rock Churches—a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site boasting impeccable frescoes. Then, we’ll head to Veliko Turnovo—the heart of Bulgaria’s second empire—where you can explore the 12th century Tsarevets fortress. Indulge in a stroll through Samovodene Artisans Street, featuring local artisans’ workshops such as coppersmiths, silversmiths, and icon painters. We’ll then proceed to Arbanassi Village, a rare architectural gem in Bulgaria, and explore the 17th century Konstantilieva House, once a merchant’s residence.

Location
Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
3.8
(55 Ratings)
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Smacm989
May 15, 2024
Bulgaria Day Trip - Excellent day trip with very knowledgeable tour guide and great driver. Scenery was amazing- would recommend! Incredible history in this region.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nancy
May 1, 2024
Fantastic trip! - It was a small group, we were picked up at the correct location and on time. Our guide was Helen, she was very knowledgeable, easy to understand and hear! She had great stories and told us ahead of time what to expect in each location.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mossmanjoe
Apr 13, 2024
Bulgaria trip - We went on this tour yesterday. We met at a designated spot and the tour was on time. There were only 4 tourists (one who bailed and didn’t go), so the tour ran with 3 tourists. Our guide Coco, was full of information and stories. As said before, the guide does not take you in places, however, they stay with you until you go in and then pick you up when you leave a spot. He ensured every aspect of the day went smoothly. They check for passports before leaving and ensure you have cash changed at the border. They handled the passport control. Adequate ‘comfort stops’ were provided. We had ample places to choose from for lunch, and time for an ice cream and coffee to admire the view as well. The minivan (12 seater but only 9 seats in it), was fairly new, comfortable, air conditioned and clean. There was a guide and driver. Both of these people were friendly and respectful. The driver drove sensibly. So, church built into a limestone cliff, ‘old style chalet type building’ and the fortress. Plus a bit of a wander in the fortress town. We enjoyed the scenery and the architecture of different influences, tied together by Coco. We had an enjoyable day in Bulgaria and arrived back in Bucharest old town about 7 pm, roughly a 12 hr day. We enjoyed this tour and would highly recommend it for others.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shelbys824
Apr 3, 2024
No drama review - Let me first say i was nervous to book as others painted a dismal picture of this tour. Went with my gut, and glad I did. Driver/tour guide was right on time for pickup at my hotel. There was another that was supposed to be picked up, at same hotel but he did not come. Driver tried many times, even went to the front desk. The guy was asleep! We waited for 15 minutes and finally left. Driver went beyond what was necessary . Picked up the others from their hotels. Just about to head out, and the missing guy called. We went back for the guy. That wasted 45 minutes of our day. I’m sorry, you snooze you lose! Driver made sure everyone had passport. Drove just over an hour, stopped to use toilets. Then border, then first stop a monastery, built in the 16th century. Then stopped again for toilets and snack. From there drove to see a 17th century what I would call chalet. Then drove another hour to a fortress. At this point it was lunch. Guide let us know lunch would not be until after 2pm. Actually lunch came at 3:30pm. Fortress was amazing. You will need to be in decent shape as hike to the top was equivalent to 17 floors per my Apple health app. Once we finished lunch back towards Bucharest. We had traveled 3 hours south. Got back just before 8pm. Warnings, no eating in van. On the stops you can snack. It was a much longer to lunch than I expected, but it was fine. Driver/guide does explain a lot on out Bulgaria. He is not there to walk you through an area. He drops off and gives you a time to be back. My only true complaint is where we stopped for lunch. Not many places to pick from. Otherwise I’d do this tour again! I am sure it was the only time I’d ever see Bulgaria, and so glad I did. Another country I got to check off!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
597redan
Mar 20, 2024
Fabulous city - A great place to explore. Very vibrant, amazing food and helpful people. I went there as a solo travelar and felt very safe even at night. Highly recomend to visit.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sam
Apr 27, 2024
Good for a weekend - One lounge down town. Nice and relax city. Prices are not so low as you might expect. Nice and friendly people You still can smell the communist atmosphere
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sabrina_n
Apr 18, 2024
Disappointed in Bulgaria - It was quite a disappointement, with the exception of the monastery in the mountains, at the second stop the manager of the temple was very rude to us and I guess it was because our guided hadn't scheduled our visit, the last stop in town was ok, but nothing special, so considering the overall experience, it wasn't a good one.
Review provided by Viator
Nathalie_r
Apr 17, 2024
I have a very bad... - I have a very bad experience they go without me and i have to call thèm to come back A lot of Road to see just a church a monastery and a forteresse I don’t recommand this agency
Review provided by Viator
Francianeamoedo
May 23, 2024
Horrible - Tour company contacted me via WhatsApp saying that there would be no tour as there was no demand on that date. Company refuses to cancel the reservation and refund my money.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Leslie_p
Apr 26, 2024
The tour operator in Bucharest cancelled the tour 15 hours before they were to pick us up. - Pick up was to b 7am Thursday. I was told by the tour operator that I called that they did not have a people to run the trip and it was cancelled = at 3pm on Wednesday!
Review provided by Viator
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June 2024
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